The 1940 Italian Occupation of Albania: Unissued Surcharged Set of 4 Stamps (Sassone 12-15) - MNH

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Description

Start of the sale:
Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 5:53 AM
Item n°2288112682
Sale ends:
Sunday, June 8, 2025 at 12:43 AM

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Overview
This set comprises four stamps prepared for issue during the Italian occupation of Albania in 1940, but ultimately never officially released (“unissued”). The stamps are catalogued as Sassone 12-15 and are considered among the rarest and most sought-after philatelic items from this period.

Set Details

Number of stamps: 4
Denominations: 5 centesimi, 25 centesimi, 50 centesimi, 75 centesimi
Appearance: Each stamp is overprinted with the inscription “Regno D'Albania / Mbretnia Shqiptare” in black.
Status: Never officially issued; only found in mint, unmounted original gum condition.
Reason for non-issuance: While specific reasons are not documented, such cases typically result from political or administrative changes during occupation periods.

Rarity and Value

This set is extremely rare in the international philatelic market.
According to the Sassone catalogue, the estimated value for the complete set is approximately €5,000 (2015 valuation; current market prices may vary).
A set described as “fresh and very fine, unmounted original gum.” has appeared at auction with a starting price of 800 CHF but remained unsold, underscoring both its exclusivity and the select nature of its collector base.

Historical Significance

The set is a testament to the period of Italian occupation in Albania from April 1939 to September 1943, under Mussolini and King Victor Emmanuel III.
The bilingual overprint (“Regno D'Albania / Mbretnia Shqiptare”) reflects the Italian administration’s intent to legitimize its rule in Albania through postal symbolism.

Identification and Collecting

These stamps are typically only found in major collections, international auctions, or accompanied by expert certificates. This set was signed and certified by Raybaudi in 1975. The entire printing was destroyed, with less than 200 of each value remaining.
Collectors should pay close attention to condition, authenticity certification, and the originality of the gum. As you could observe from the photos, the stamps are in MNH and very fine quality.

Summary Table

Stamp	Denomination	Overprint	Condition	Reference Value (Sassone)
Sass.12	5 c	Regno D'Albania / Mbretnia Shqiptare	Mint, og	€5,000 (set of 4)
Sass.13	25 c	Regno D'Albania / Mbretnia Shqiptare	Mint, og
Sass.14	50 c	Regno D'Albania / Mbretnia Shqiptare	Mint, og
Sass.15	75 c	Regno D'Albania / Mbretnia Shqiptare	Mint, og

Conclusion
The 1940 Italian Occupation of Albania set of four unissued surcharged stamps (Sassone 12-15) stands as one of the rarest and most historically significant philatelic issues of its era. Its scarcity, provenance, and historical context make it highly desirable among advanced and professional collectors, and it is typically encountered only in elite collections or specialized auctions.

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Member since: Nov 11, 2016
Last connection: 4 days ago
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Location:
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Language spoken:
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The 1940 Italian Occupation of Albania: Unissued Surcharged Set of 4 Stamps (Sassone 12-15) - MNH

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